Since last year, individuals seeking a commercial driver’s license (CDL) must complete a program of instruction called the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) rule. This new requirement aims to enhance road safety by ensuring that all CDL holders have the necessary skills and knowledge to operate their vehicles safely. The ELDT rule also applies to CDL holders who want to upgrade or expand their certification, such as moving from a CDL Class B to Class A. However, completion of an ELDT program is not mandatory for renewing an existing CDL.
The ELDT rules mandate entry-level truckers to undergo training through a federally compliant program registered with the FMCSA, featuring both theoretical and behind-the-wheel instruction. These instructors are listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR). Drivers will gain essential knowledge relating to safe operating techniques, fundamental procedures like docking and coupling, as well as more advanced practices such as skid recovery and jackknife prevention. This new requirement represents a significant improvement over previous methods, which mainly included obtaining a learner’s permit, minimal coursework, and a few hours on the highway with an experienced driver in the passenger’s seat. The variation in curriculum across states led to inconsistent skill sets among truckers. Through the implementation of updated standards, the FMCSA ensures that all new truckers receive comprehensive training necessary for safe road travel.
Lessons Taught by the I-70 Accident & Rogel Aguilera-Mederos
The ELDT rules were established to prevent accidents such as the one caused by Rogel Aguilera-Mederos in April 2019. Mederos, who was only 23 years old and lacked experience as a trucker, was traveling on I-70 in Colorado. His unpreparedness for the challenging Colorado mountain passes, notorious even for experienced truckers, directly resulted in a fatal crash and his 110-year prison sentence. It’s likely that Mederos received minimal training in Texas and was unaware of the potential dangers of navigating the mountainous terrain of Colorado. More comprehensive training could have enabled Mederos to anticipate and address the specific challenges he would encounter while traveling through hazardous mountain passes and steep grades.
Following his sentencing, advocates for trucking pointed out that the real failure was the system that provided inadequate instruction to Mederos, and drivers like him.
The ELDT rules represent a crucial step toward recognizing truckers as skilled professionals rather than replaceable components. By mandating training standards at the federal level, the FMCSA is establishing a nationwide benchmark for ensuring that drivers are suitably prepared and qualified to operate commercial vehicles. This is unquestionably a positive development.
The Serious Weakness with EDLT Requirements
One significant issue persists. In the case of Mederos, the lack of sufficient time behind the wheel posed a major challenge in navigating steep Colorado passes. This issue arises from the fact that FMCSA standards do not stipulate a minimum number of hours for behind-the-wheel training. Remarkably, in many states, obtaining a barber’s license requires 1,000 hours or more of training. While barbers need months of supervised training to operate clippers for haircuts, truckers only require a couple of weeks of classroom training and a few afternoons of supervised driving to operate an 80,000-pound vehicle.
Although the ELDT rules may have set a minimum training requirement for obtaining a CDL, there remains a substantial loophole in the CDL qualification process. While CDL instruction facilities may offer incredibly rigorous training programs, the absence of a minimum standard for behind-the-wheel training means that drivers could still be allowed on highways without the necessary experience to ensure their own and others’ safety. However, a key problem remains. In Mederos’ case, a major issue was that he simply didn’t have enough time behind the wheel to successfully navigate steep Colorado passes. The reason for this is simple: FMCSA standards establish no minimum hours for behind-the-wheel training. In many states, the amount of training required to get a barber’s license is 1,000 hours or more. To operate clippers to cut someone’s hair, a barber needs months of supervised training. To operate an 80,000-pound behemoth, a trucker only needs a couple of weeks of classroom training and a few afternoons of supervised driving.
The ELDT rules might have established a minimum amount of training before a trucker receives a CDL, but there remains a huge loophole in the CDL qualification process. CLD instruction facilities might have the most rigorous training programs ever conceived, but without a minimal standard for behind-the-wheel training, drivers might still be sent onto our highways without the experience they need to keep themselves (and us) safe.
What Happens If a New Trucker Doesn’t Comply with ELDT?
The new rule mandates specialized training for aspiring CDL holders, so truckers must ensure compliance to avoid severe repercussions. Staying updated on recent changes and obtaining the required certification from an instructor listed on the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry is crucial. If a trucker neglects to acquire a CDL, they could face substantial fines and potential imprisonment, as driving without one is considered a misdemeanor in most states. Additionally, all graduates’ details are stored in a national database, making it easier for employers to verify applicants’ qualifications.
The Requirements for Registering as a CDL Instructor
The qualifications for becoming a CDL training instructor are generally consistent with the standards set by most states prior to the implementation of the ELDT rules. The FMCSA has estimated that approximately 85% of training curriculums were in compliance with the new rules before February 2022. However, certain training facilities that were compliant with state regulations have had to enhance their training programs and staff to meet the ELDT standards.
To be an instructor for a TPR-certified training facility, an instructor must:
Please take note of the following details:
– Possession of an equivalent or higher class of CDL certification with appropriate endorsements (or previous possession of said CDL).
– Minimum of two years of on-road commercial driving experience OR two years of behind-the-wheel instruction experience.
– No history of CDL revocation, cancellation, or suspension.
As attorneys specializing in trucking accidents, our primary focus is to ensure the safety of truck drivers and other road users. The trucking industry has often been criticized for rushing drivers through CDL training programs to expedite their entry into the profession. This approach not only undermines the integrity of the trucking industry but also poses a significant threat to highway safety. Although the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) rules represent a positive step forward, there remains a substantial disparity between the current state of CDL training and its potential, particularly regarding standardized minimum hours for behind-the-wheel training.